Rush to Campus Security

New access control system helps regain control

By Ann Timme

Jan 05, 2016

Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, a 664-bed hospital, wanted to increase security and simplify its key system, starting with its new 14-story, 375-bed tower hospital building. The project was part of a long-term, comprehensive effort to enhance security at all Rush facilities, including Rush University, Rush Oak Park Hospital and Rush Health.

As part of its master plan, Rush wanted an access control system that
could expand to meet its needs over the next 10 years, not only for the
tower but also across its other 25 buildings. Additionally, it needed to
regain control of and simplify its key system. Both required solutions
that were flexible, dependable and straightforward so they could be
handled by the health network’s technical engineering team.

Wireless access control. The health network’s interest in wireless
electronic security began several years prior with a central kitchen
project that required a large amount of wiring to install the system.
Since then, wireless has been their first choice. It provides savings in
both cost and time—and offers the most convenience.

The health network selected a system built around Schlage AD-400
wireless electronic locks with integrated readers. More than 500 locks
were part of the initial system. Future campus upgrades are to include
an additional 400 locks.

The locks provide online, real-time access control and are uniquely
designed with easily changeable reader modules—ideal for future
upgrades since they don’t require changing the entire lock. All required
hardware components are combined into a single integrated design
that incorporates the electrified lock, credential reader, request to-exit
switch, door position switch and tamper guard.

AD Series locks were added to openings that separate public areas
from restricted areas, such as private offices or cross corridors between
buildings. While keys are used on offices and suites within these areas,
card readers control access to the areas themselves.

“Any time we have a new capital project, whether they’re doing an
entire floor or suite, we put a wireless reader on areas where we have
issues with access and key control,” said Mike Craig, medical center
engineering assistant director.

Craig also said that departments within the organization request the
electronic locks for the convenience of not having to use keys and to
have better control over security.

Key management system. In addition to improving its electronic
access control, Rush wanted to upgrade its key system. Mechanical
keys were used in many applications throughout the hospital for overrides
on the electronic locks and in areas where the user numbers were
small and not often changed. According to Craig, the previous system
had been expanded to more than 8,000 cylinders and included more
than a half dozen different keyways—making it increasingly difficult to
know who had the keys and masters.

To regain key control and simplify management of an ever-expanding
system, the health network worked with Allegion to develop a new
plan based on the Schlage Everest 29 patent-protected keyway. The
keyway’s new undercut design offers protection through 2029, and
delivers the highest level of mechanical security available because it
cannot be duplicated without authorization.

Allegion key consultants helped Rush develop a system that will be
expandable for at least the next 10 years, all without creating another
master. To keep track of the new keys, the hospital uses a key management
software system that manages key distribution. Over a two-year
process, Rush is converting its buildings with mechanical access to the
Everest 29.

The tower project provided an opportunity to achieve greater savings
by incorporating wireless security on a larger scale.

“Once we install a panel to interface with our security system, we
can handle up to 16 locks on that single panel without installing conduit
and pulling wires,” Craig said. “We save the cost of these materials
and the time it takes to put them in place.”

Additionally, because the system is modular in design, it provides
flexibility for future upgrades and expansions. All of these solutions
have become part of the product specification guide used to unify door
and security hardware throughout all Rush facilities. Products included
in the guide are chosen for expected life, service
needs, parts availability and cost.

“Standardizing also makes it easier for the hospital’s
staff to stock parts and to perform maintenance
when needed,” Craig said.

This article originally appeared in the January 2016 issue of Security Today.